Free NHL Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (04/10/24)

April 10, 2024

Brenton Kemp's top NHL betting picks and best bets for today's NHL games on 04/10/24. Win with his free picks against the spread, game totals, and other various hockey bets.

It's a short Wednesday NHL schedule as we have just three games on tap but, like every other night this time of the year, there is plenty on the line as the playoffs inch ever so close.

Attention, fellow sports bettors! We have some exciting news to share as we are now officially partnered with various sportsbooks and have some sweet sports betting promo offers! Get your deposit bonus, as well as a year of free RotoBaller Premium access, when you sign up with a new account today! After you're signed up, use our picks in this article for spreads, totals, and props to win big.

In this article, I'll provide my favorite betting picks for the NHL games on Wednesday, April 10. We will focus on money line bets, totals, and team totals. With all of that said, let's break down some hockey games. Follow me on Twitter/X @BKemp17.

Today's NHL Betting Picks - Vegas Golden Knights vs. Edmonton Oilers

O/U: 6 | Moneyline: EDM (-120)

Easily the biggest game on the night is the Pacific Division tilt between the Edmonton Oilers and the visiting Vegas Golden Knights.

While it would be nearly impossible for the Golden Knights to catch the Oilers with a seven-point spread between the two clubs with just five games to go for Vegas, this could very well be a first-round preview. The Golden Knights sit just a single point back of the L.A. Kings for third spot in the Pacific, which would likely set up a first-round matchup with the Oilers.

While the playoff picture is usually at the forefront in these types of games, that isn't the headline tonight in Edmonton. Rather, Oilers superstar Connor McDavid is likely to miss this contest due to a lower-body injury suffered late in Saturday's win over the Calgary Flames. McDavid didn't take a shift in the final five minutes in that one and is listed as day-to-day.

Obviously, that's a notable blow to an Oilers offense that not only ranks fourth overall but also first by a wide margin in expected goals for per 60 (xGF/60) at five-on-five (5v5) action. They also boast a top-10 defense and the league's fourth-ranked power play.

For Vegas, this is a chance to make a statement in front of the Oilers faithful. They recently got a big boost to their lineup as key trade-deadline acquisition Tomas Hertl made his Golden Knights debut on Monday in Vancouver, notching an assist in his 20:20 of ice time while skating on the second line. With Mark Stone sidelined, Hertl's presence is a major boon to the club.

It's been a down season for the Golden Knights but they still sit 12th in both overall offense and defense. The underlying metrics are middling, as are their special teams.

Both clubs should be ready for this, but we're getting plus-money odds on a hungry Vegas team taking on a (likely) McDavid-less Oilers team. Let's take advantage of the value.

Pick: Golden Knights moneyline (+100, DraftKings Sportsbook)

Sports Betting Promo Offers

Today's NHL Betting Picks - Arizona Coyotes vs. Vancouver Canucks

O/U: 6.5 | Moneyline: VAN (-250)

There aren't major postseason implications in this Coyotes versus Canucks contest tonight in Vancouver, although the Canucks would surely like to run away with the Pacific Division, sitting five points ahead of the Oilers for the top spot, although Edmonton does sport two games in hand.

The Coyotes will miss the postseason for the 10th time over the last 11 seasons in 2023-24, only getting in via the qualifying round in the COVID-shortened 2019-20 campaign. Only the Ducks, Blackhawks, and Sharks have been worse in the 16-team Western Conference this season.

Sitting in the bottom 10 in just about every category in the league, including advanced metrics, the Coyotes have been particularly poor on the road. They own a palatable 21-19-0 record at Mullet Arena in Arizona but have limped to a 12-21-5 record anywhere else. Only the Blackhawks, Sharks, and Blue Jackets have won fewer road games on the season.

That's bad news against a Canucks team whose 26 home wins ties for second-most in the Western Conference. One downside to their chances in this one is the continued absence of goaltender Thatcher Demko during his Vezina-caliber season. Casey DeSmith and Arturs Silovs have traded starts in his absence. Still, DeSmith has struggled in taking 6-3 losses in each of his last two outings, perhaps paving the way for Silovs to make his second straight start following a 4-3 win over Vegas on Monday.

100th NHL goal for Conor Garland  pic.twitter.com/meFSMt7iUq

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 9, 2024

The Canucks' lethal offense and power play should be able to take care of this one. Not only that but keep in mind the Coyotes are playing their second game in as many nights after taking a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday in Seattle.

There's no reason why the hosting Canucks shouldn't be able to take it to a vulnerable 'Yotes club tonight.

Pick: Canucks -1.5 puck line (+105, DraftKings Sportsbook)

Good luck, RotoBallers! Let's cash some bets and make some money today!

More Betting and DFS Picks